brief....

Body formed to probe Lakki blast

By Ghulam Mursaleen Marwat

LAKKI MARWAT: The government has formed a team to investigate the Friday's bomb attack on a police vehicle, which left four policemen dead, including DSP Javed Iqbal, official sources said. "It is premature to say who is behind the attack but the investigation will be carried out from different aspects," said DSP Malik Tariq, who will head the investigation team, consisting of inspectors Arif Khan and Zafrullah Khan, sub-inspector Obaidullah Khan and assistant sub-inspector Amir Ahmad Khan. "Investigators will also try to find out clues to the involvement of foreigners in the incident," he added. He said the officials would also ponder whether the Lakki bomb blast had any links with the suicide blast at the funeral of DSP Javed Iqbal in Mingora. Meanwhile, a three-member team comprising bomb disposal squad and the Crime Investigation Department personnel arrived here from Peshawar to collect information and assist the local investigators.



NCMC warns of suicide attacks against politicians

ISLAMABAD: Several suicide bombers have entered cities and, it is feared, prominent politicians and officials of the law-enforcement agencies are their target. A private TV channel reported on Saturday that the National Crisis Management Cell (NCMC) had cautioned about the bombers in a circular sent to the four provincial governments and the AJK government. The circular says that several suicide bombers, belonging to the local Taliban who have been assigned the task of targeting prominent politicians, have entered the major cities of the country. The targets of these suicide bombers include Asif Zardari, Amin Fahim, Sheikh Rashid and officials of the law-enforcing agencies, the circular said. Promptly following the NCMC warning, the IG Punjab Police directed senior police officials of all districts to tighten security measures in their respective areas and take ample measures

against possible suicide attacks.



Bomb damages security vehicle in Dera Bugti

QUETTA: A vehicle of the security forces was slightly damaged after unknown miscreants targeted it with a remote controlled bomb in Talawa area of Dera Bugti on Saturday, police official Bashir said. The vehicle was on a routine patrol when it was targeted with an explosive device planted on the roadside. The explosion slightly damaged the vehicle without causing any casualty. The area police registered a case and started search for the saboteurs.



Lawyers continue courts’ boycott

By our correspondent

LAHORE: Lawyers on Saturday continued their boycott of courts and participated in hunger strike camps to protest the ouster of senior judges on November 3, 2007. Lawyers did not appear in courts and participated in the hunger strike camps set up by the Lahore High Court Bar Association and the Save Judiciary Committee. Lawyers wearing black armbands shouted slogans for the restoration of sacked judges and slammed General (retd) Musharraf's policies. Lawyers also demanded the immediate release of SCBA President Aitzaz Ahsan, Ali Ahmad Kurd and other detained lawyers. The lawyers on March 9 would observe "Youm-e-Adlia" and hold rallies.



Election expenses returns filed

By our correspondent

NAWABSHAH: The newly-elected PPP legislators have filed their election expenses returns. The sister of Asif Ali Zardari, Dr Azra Fazal, elected on NA-213, has filed expenses return of Rs 1,348,833. Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, elected on NA-214, has shown campaigning expenses of Rs 1,429,689, while Tariq Masood Arain elected on PS-24 has filed a return showing Rs 902,049 as election expenses. Haji Ahmed Ali Jalbani, elected on PS-25, has filed a return, showing expenses of Rs 983,696. MPA-elect Syed Faseeh Ahmed Shah has shown expenses of Rs 644,500, Ghulam Qadir Chandio has filed a return of Rs 978,136, while MPA Sardar Jam Tamachi has filed expenses return of Rs 57,000. The Election Commission of Pakistan had allowed Rs 1.5 million as election expenses for candidates contesting for the National Assembly and Rs 1 million for the provincial candidates.



SU introduces optical marks reader machine

By our correspondent

HYDERABAD: The University of Sindh on Saturday purchased a new Optical Marks Reader (OMR) machine for its Sindh University Testing Centre for admissions and employment. The new OMR machine would be helpful in assessing answer copies of the pre-entry tests as well as announcement of the results within the shortest-possible time. The speed of the new machine is approximately 5,000 sheets per hour in addition to printing facility. With the help of this machine, the university would be able to announce the results of the entry test of 10,000 candidates within three hours and display at its official website. Vice Chancellor Mazharul Haq Siddiqui inaugurated the OMR machine. The machine was examined and assessment of different copies was carried out and the results obtained by the machine were verified manually and found 100 per cent accurate.



Blast injures three in DI Khan

By our correspondent

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: A bomb blast in Shah Ajmal area of Prowa Tehsil injured three persons here on Saturday. The injured, identified as Ghazi Muhammad Wazir, Ghazi Khan and Annan Gul, were rushed to hospital. Unknown miscreants had planted the bomb near the wall of a house.



PML-N to show two-thirds majority in PA: Shahbaz

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) President Shahbaz Sharif said on Saturday his party, along with the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), would prove two-thirds majority in the Punjab Assembly in the next few days. Talking to Geo TV, he said the PML-N would form coalition governments at the centre and in the Punjab with the PPP, for which a procedure had been decided with mutual consent. "The voters have given us the mandate for the restoration of judiciary and it would be the top priority after parliament goes to session," he said. Shahbaz thanked Allah Almighty for his acquittal in the Sabzazar case. He added that he had sympathy for the families of the deceased. He said he was not absconding in the case and had presented himself before the court.



Passengers looted

By our correspondent

SHIKARPUR: A gang of eight highwaymen looted passengers of the Kandhkot-bound wagon near Gohar Shakh on the Indus Highway in the wee hours of Saturday. Reports said the dacoits, after looting the passengers of cash, wristwatches, mobile sets, golden rings and other valuables, fled with the booty. The looted passengers, led by of Arbab Ali Napar, Ayaz Ali Napar and Shankar Lal of Kandhkot, staged a protest and blocked the Indus Highway for one hour. They demanded early recovery of their looted belongings. Later, the Naparkot police dispersed the protesting passengers and got the highway reopened for vehicular traffic.





Free medical camp

By our correspondent

SHIKARPUR: The National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) will arrange on March 3 (Monday) a one-day free medical camp in the village of Soan Wah of Gaheja Union Council, Taluka Garhi Yasin. The NCHD officials said that in the free medical camp, famous doctors of the district would treat the poor patients voluntarily while the patients will also be given medicines free of cost.



Soomro felicitates new Korean PM

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Muhammadmian Soomro on Saturday sent a felicitation message to the prime minister of Korea on his appointment. In his message, Soomro said: "It gives me a great pleasure to extend to you my warmest felicitations on your appointment as the prime minister of the Republic of Korea." Soomro said Pakistan and Korea enjoyed friendly and cooperative relations and expressed the confidence that the ties would be further strengthened in future.